Adjustable truss



Oct. 24, 1939. R. J. MOTHS 2,177,043

ADJUSTABLE TRUSS Filed March l2, 1958 y 2 Sheets-Sheet l 4f l |u|||| Immlgmmmgmnnmg i-5 L 50A ff,

Oct. 24, 1939. R. J. MoTHs 2,177,043

ADJUSTABLE TRUss Filed March l2, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct.\2\4`, 1939 l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE l' l ADJUSTABLE TRUSS RaymondJ. Moths, Shorewood, Wis. Application March 12, 1938, Serial No. 195,649

17 Claims.

This invention relates to concrete structures, more particularly to atruss that is adjustable in length and adapted for use in supportingconcrete forms.

Before pouring concrete walls, columns or iioors it is necessary toerect suitable forms to retain the concrete in the desired positionuntil it has set. Heretofore the most extensively used material has beenlumber which has been used not only to form the sides of the forms-butalso to form the joists and stays to support the pressure. 'Ihis systemis cumbersome, laborious, wasteful and costly.

One object of the present invention is to reduce the time required toset up concrete forms.

`Another object of the'l invention is to reduce the labor and materialrequired to set up concrete forms.

Another object is to devise a truss which can be adjusted to any desiredlength.

' A further object is to devise an extensible truss that issubstantially the same strength throughout its length.

A further object is to devise a truss which can be conveniently held inposition while pouring concrete walls.

A further object of the invention is to eliminatetie rods throughconcrete walls.

Other objects are to simplify the supporting and bracing of concreteforms, reduce the cost and increase the safety thereof, and otherobjects which will become apparent upon considering the followingspecification and the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferredform of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a cross-section of a concrete wall or column duringconstruction, showing a truss as applied to the wall forms;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal cross-section through a truss shownin Fig. 1 showing the joint in the upper and in the lower chord;

Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6 are cross-sections on the lines 3-3, 4-4, 5-5 and 66 respectively, of Fig. l, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. '7 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to Fig. 2, but showinga modified form of both truss and bracket;

Fig. 8 is a cross-section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7, looking in thedirection of the arrows;

Fig. 9 is a View similar to Fig. 8 but slightly enlarged;

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view on the line Ill- I of Fig. '7 lookingin the direction of the arrows; and

(Cl. 18S- 37) Figs. 11 and 12 are cross-sections on the lines and |2-|2respectively, of Figs. 1 and 7.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the locking lug.

Referring to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate like partsthroughout the several views, the invention is shown as applied to aconcrete wall or a column construction. The wall or column, which may bedesignated 20, is built on a foundation 2|, in which has been set aU-shaped truss support 22. The open ends of the U project through theconcrete and form gips which receive trusses generally designated Thetrusses 25*25 have studs 26, attached to their,upper chords, whichsupport the planking 1 21 of a. concrete form. 'I'he upper ends of thetrusses 25-25 are tied together by an extensible tie rod 28 (shown inFig. 3). Because of the rigidity of the trusses 25-25 it is unnecessaryto have tie rods intermediate the truss support 22 and the rod 28.

The truss in order to be particularly adaptable to concrete constructionwork is made adjustable in length and has an upper chord with a tubularportion 30 and a solid extension 3| 25 slidable within the tubularportion 30. The extension 3| is provided with a plurality of notches 32.A lug 33 (Figs. 4 and 5), having projections corresponding to thenotches 32, engages the notches at a suitable position and is fastened30 between a pair of ears 35 by a bolt and wing nut 36. 'Ille ears 35are formed on the tubular portion 30 of the upper chord and serve, withthe bolt 36 and the lug 33, to secure the two portions of the chordtogether and transmit stress 35 therebetween.

The lower chord of the truss comprises a tubular member 40 parallel tothe upper chord, having one end bent toward the upper chord as shown at4| and connected to the upper chord 40 through a plate 42. An extension43, which is shown as a solid rod having a plurality of notches 44corresponding in size and spacing to the notches 32, is slidablyengageable within the tubular member 40 and is secured thereto by a 45pair of ears 35, a lug 33 and a bolt 36, similar to those describedabove. The outer end of the extension 43 is bent toward the upper chordextension 3| and is fastened thereto through a plate 45.

Suitable diagonal shear bracing 41 is permanently fixed such as bywelding or riveting between the tubular portions 30 and'40 of thechords, the design of which follows well known engineering principles.

The extensions 3| and 4,3 are provided with a plurality of split collars50 which may be either one piece and connected to the extension by lugs33, as shown in Fig. 4, or may be two pieces, 5 as shown at 52, 53, Fig.9, having projections formed integrally with the pieces 52 and 53 whichiit into the notches in the extensions to x the collars in position onthe extensions.

Both forms of collars 50 and 52-53 are provided with ears 55 to whichmay be attached suitable diagonal shear bracing 56, which may be made invarious standard lengths.

if desired one of the shear braces may be.

made adjustable, or adjustment of length of the truss may be providedfor as illustrated in the form of the invention shown in Fig. 'Z'. Asseen in that figure, the notches are made relatively wide, and smalladjustments in overall length of the truss are taken care of by a pairof screw adjustments 68 best shown in Fig. 10.

In fastening on studs 26 a strap 6I is used, which iits over the tubularmember 3l! and is nailed to the stud (Fig. 12). As seen in Fig. 11,

sleeves 62 are provided on the extension Il over which the straps 6l mayfit to fasten the extension to the stud. l

Having thus described the invention it is realized that it issusceptible to various changes and modifications and it is not thereforedesired to limit the invention-to the form herein shown and describedbut only by the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, it is hereby claimed as follows:

l. An extensible 'truss comprising, an upper chord comprising a tubularmember, a member having a plurality of notches therein, said last namedmember being slidably receivable within4 said tubular member and meansengageable with said vnotches and with said tubular member to transmitstress between the members, a lower chord comprising a tubular member, amember slidably receivable within said tubular member and means totransmit stress between said last named members, and shear bracesjoining said upper and lower chords to maintain-the same in spacedparallel relationship.

2. An extensible truss comprising, a first chord comprising a tubularmember, a member slidabiy receivable within said tubular member, andmeans to connect said members together to transmit the stress from onesaid memberA to the other said member, a second chord comprising atubular member, a member having 'a plurality of notches therein, saidlast named member being receivable within said tubular member and meansengageable with said notches and with said last named tubular member totransmit stress between the last named members, and shear braces joiningsaid chords to maintain the same in spaced parallel relationship. Y

3. In` an extensible truss including aA notched chord, a shear braceclamp comprising a iirst segment partially surrounding said chord andhaving notches engaging between the notches of said chord, a secondsegment partially surrounding said chord and means to attach saidsegments together to secure said clamp in position on said chord.

4. In a truss of the character described an upper chord comprising aiirst member, a second member slidably engageable with said rst member,and means connecting said members to transmit stress therebetween; alower chord compris- 75 ing a third member, a fourth member slidably en-.chord engageable with the upper chord of said gageable with said thirdmembery'and means connecting said third and fourth members to transmitstress therebetween; diagonal shear braces integrally. connected betweensaid first and third members; clamps connected to said second and fourthmembers.' and diagonal shear braces connecting said clamps. 5. Anadjustable truss of the character described, comprising, a fixed sectioncomprising an f upper chord, a lower chord and a plurality of -mj ydiagonal braces integrally joining said chords to maintain the cords infixed relationship, an adjustable section comprising an upper chordengageable with the upper chord of said fixed section in adjustedposition, a lower chord engageable with the lower chord of the xedsection in adjusted position, and diagonal braces adjustably connectedbetween the chords of the adjustable section, means to transmit stressbetween the upper chord of the xed section and the upper chord oftheadjustable Sectio and means to transmit stress between the lower chordof the fixed section and the lower chord of the adjustable section.

l 6. An adjustable truss of the character described comprising, a fixedsection comprising a tubular upper chord, a tubular lower chord and aplurality of diagonal braces ixed integrally between said chords tomaintain the chords in fixed relationship, an adjustable sectioncomprising -an upper chord slidably receivable within said tubular'upperchord, a lower chord slidably receivable within the tubular lower chord,and diagonal braces adjustably connected between the chords of saidadjustable section to maintain the chords in xed relationship, means totransmit stress between the upper chordof said fixed section and theupperchord of said adjustable section, and means to transmit stressbetween the lower chord of said xed section and the lower chord of saidadjustable section.

7. An adjustable truss of the character described comprising, a fixedsection comprising an upper chord, a lower chord and a plurality ofdiagonal braces integrally connected between said 4- chords to maintainthe chords in xed relationship, an adjustable section comprising anupper chord engageable with the upper chord of said nxed section inadjusted position, a lower chord engageable with the lower chord of thefixed section in adjusted position, and diagonal braces adjustablyconnected to the chords of the adjustable section, means engageable withone chord of said xed section adjacent'one end thereof and with thecorresponding chord of said adjustable section intermediate the endsthereof to transmit stress therebetween, and means to transmit stressbetween the other chord of said fixed section and the other chord of theadjustable section.

8. An adjustable truss. of the character described comprising, a xedsection comprising an upper chord, a lower chord and a plurality ofdiagonal braces integrally connected between said chords to maintain thechords in xed relationship, an adjustable section comprising an upper 6-fixed section in adjusted position. a lower Vchord engageable with thelower chord of the xed section in adjusted position, and diagonal bracesadjustably connected between the chords of the adjustable section, meansengageabie with the lower chord of said fixed section adjacent one endthereof and with the lower chord of said adjustable section intermediatethe ends thereof to transmit stress therebetween, and means to transmitstress between the upper chord of said fixed section and the upper chordof said adjustable section.

9. An adjustable truss of the character described comprising, a fixedsection comprising an upper chord, a lower chord and a plurality ofdiagonal braces integrally connected between said chords to maintain thechords in fixed relationship, an adjustable section comprising an upperchord engageable with the upper chord of said xed section in adjustedposition, a lower chord engageable with the lower chord of the fixedsection in adjusted position, and diagonal braces adjustably connectedbetween the chords of the adjustable section, means engageable with thelower chord of said fixed section adjacent one end thereof and with thelower chord of said adjustable section intermediate the ends thereof totransmit stress therebetween, and means engageable with the upper chordof said fixed section adjacent one end thereof and with -the upper chordof said adjustable section intermediate the ends thereof to transmitstress therebetween.

10. An adjustable truss of the character described comprising, a fixedsection comprising a tubular upper chord, a tubular lower chord, aplurality of diagonal braces integrally connected between-said chords tomaintain the chords in fixed relationship, an adjustable sectioncomprising an upper chord slidably receivable within said tubular upperchord, a lower chord slidably receivable within the tubular lower chord,and diagonal braces adjustably connected between the cords of saidadjustable section to maintain the chords in fixed relationship, meansengageable with onechord of said fixed section adjacent one end thereofand with the corresponding chord of said adjustable section intermediatethe ends thereof to transmit stress therebetween, and means to transmitstress'between the other chord of said fixed section and the other chordof the adjustable section.

1l. An adjustable truss of the character described comprising, a fixedsection comprising a tubular upper chord, a tubular lowerchord and aplurality of diagonal braces integrally connected between said chords tomaintain the chords in spaced relationship, an adjustable sectioncomprising an upper chord slidably receivable within said tubular upperchord, a lower chord slidably receivable within the tubular lower chord,and diagonal braces adjustably connected between the chords of saidadjustable section to maintain the chords in fixed relationship, meansengageable with the lower chord of said fixed section adjacent one endthereof and with the lower chord of said adjustable section intermediatethe ends thereof to transmit stress therebetween, and means to transmitstress between the upper chord of said fixed section and the upper chordof said adjustable section.

12. An adjustable truss of the character described comprising, a fixedsection comprising a tubular upper chord, a tubular lower chord and aplurality of diagonal braces integrally connected between said chords tomaintain the.

chords in fixed-relationship, an adjustable section comprising an upperchord slidably receivable within said tubular upper chord, a lower chordslidably receivable within the tubular lower chord, and diagonal bracesadjustably connected between the chords of said adjustable section tomaintain the chords in fixed relationship, means engageable with thelower chord of said fixed section adjacent one end thereof and with thelower chord of said adjustable section tioned on the lower chord of saidadjustable secintermediate the ends thereof to transmit stresstherebetween, and means engageable with the upper chord of said fixedsection adjacent one end thereof and with the upper chord of said(adjustable section intermediate the endsl thereof 5 to transmit stresstherebetween.

13. An adjustable truss of the character described comprising, a fixedsection comprising an upper chord, a lower chord spaced'fromsaid upperchord, and a plurality of diagonal braces integrally joining said chordsto maintain the same in spaced relationship, an adjustable sectioncomprising an upper chord engageable with the upper chord of said fixedsection in adjusted position, a lower chord engageable with the lowerchord of the fixed section in adjusted position, a plurality of clampsadjustably positioned on the upper chord of said adjustable section, aplurality of clamps adjustably positioned on the lower chord of saidadjustable section and diagonal braces connecting said clamps totransmit stress between the chords, means to transmit stress between theupper chord of the fixed section and the upper chord of the adjustablesection, and means to transmit stress between the lower chord of thefixed section and the lower chord of the adjustable section.

14. An adjustable truss of the character described comprising, a fixedsection comprising an upper chord, a lower chord spaced from said upperchord, and a plurality of diagonal braces integrally joining said chordsto maintain the same in spaced relationship, an adjustable sectioncomprising an upper chord engageable with the upper chord of said xedsection in adjusted position, a lower chord vengageable with the lowerchord of the fixed section in adjusted position, a plurality of clampsadjustably positioned on the upper chord of said adjustable section, aplurality of clamps adjustably position, and diagonal braces connectingsaid clamps to transmit stress between the chords, means to transmitstress between the upper chord of the fixed section and the upper chordof the adjustable section, means to transmit stress between the lowerchord of the fixed section and the lower` chord of the adjustablesection, and means to vary the length of said truss.

15. An adjustable truss of the character described comprising, a fixedsection comprising an upper chord, a lower chdrd, and a plurality ofdiagonal braces integrally joining said chords to maintain the chords infixed relationship, an adjustable section comprising an upper chordhaving a plurality of notches formed therein and engageable with theupper chord of the fixed section in adjusted position, a lower chordhaving a plurality of notches therein and engageable ,with the lowerchord of the fixed section in adjusted position, clamping meansadjustably secured on the notched upper and lower chords in adjustedposition, diagonal braces connecting said clamping means to transmitstress between ther/chords, means to transmit stress between the upperchord of the fixed section and the upper chord of the adjustablesection, and means to transmit stress between the lower chord of thefixed section and the lower chord of the adjustable section.

16. An adjustable truss of the character described comprising, a fixedsection comprising an upper chord, a lower chord, and a plurality ofdiagonal braces integrally joining said chords to maintain the chords infixed relationship, an

adjustable section comprising an upper chord 7 v,justed position,clamping means adjustably secured onV the notched upper and lower chordsin adjusted position, diagonal braces connecting said clamping means totransmit stress between thencliords,V a clamp ilxed on the upper vchordof said xed section and engageable with the notches of the upper chordof said adjustable section to transmit stress between said members, andmeans to transmit stress between the lower chord of the xed section andthe lower chord of the adjustable section.

17. An adjustable truss of the character described comprisihg, a iixedsection comprising an upper chord, a lower chord, and a plurality ofdiagonal braces integrally joining said chords v to maintainthe chordsin redr relationship, an adjustablel section comprising an upper chordhaving a plurality of notches formed therein and engageable with theupper chord of the xed section in adjusted position, a lower chordhaving a plurality oli-notches therein and engageable with the lowerchord of the xed section in adjusted position, clamping meansadjustabiyl secured on the notched upper and-lower chords in adjustedposition, diagonal braces connecting-said clamping means to transmitstress between the chords, a clamp formed on the upper chord of saidfixed section engageable with the notches of the upper chord of the ad,-justable section to transmit stress between the the sections, and a.clamp formed on the lower chord d! said xed section engageable with thenotches in the lower chord of the adjustable section to transmit stressbetween the sections.

RAYMOND J. MOTHS.

